Columbus ZIP Code List — Platte County, NE

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Columbus, Nebraska. Area code: 402.

ZIP codes

286.71

sq mi land

11.79

sq mi water

402

area code

Columbus, NE ZIP code map

About Columbus, NE

Columbus, Nebraska, is a vibrant city located in the heart of Platte County. Known for its friendly atmosphere and diverse community, Columbus has a rich history and offers a variety of amenities. The city serves as a regional hub for commerce and tourism in central Nebraska.

Location & geography

Columbus is situated approximately 90 miles west of Omaha and 70 miles east of Grand Island, making it conveniently located for those traveling across the state. The city spans a total land area of 286.71 square miles, complemented by an additional 11.79 square miles of water, which contributes to its diverse landscape. The terrain is primarily flat, typical of Nebraska's plains, and features several waterways, enhancing the area's natural beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Columbus is defined by its welcoming and close-knit community, where residents value both tradition and progress. Major industries in the area include agriculture, manufacturing, and retail, providing a robust economic foundation. Daily life in Columbus is enriched by local events, parks, and recreational activities, fostering a sense of belonging among its residents.

Transportation

Columbus is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 30 and Nebraska Highway 81, which connect the city to other parts of the state. The nearest major airport is Columbus Municipal Airport, providing convenient flight options for travelers. Public transit options are limited, but the city's layout facilitates easy navigation by car or bicycle.

History

Columbus was founded in 1856 and has since played a significant role in Nebraska's development. Historically, the city began as a trading post and has evolved into a key agricultural and industrial center over the decades. Notable events in Columbus include its celebration of the annual Platte County Fair, which showcases local talent and culture.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Columbus is that it is home to the largest collection of public art sculptures in Nebraska, a testament to the city's commitment to culture and the arts. Additionally, the city was named after Christopher Columbus, reflecting its European heritage.

ZIP codes for Columbus, NE (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68601	Columbus	Platte	View map
68602	Columbus	Platte	View map

Demographics & statistics

30,224

Population

38.3

Median age

$67,871

Median household income

$35,849

Per capita income

$194,200

Median home value

$874

Median monthly rent

72.8%

Home ownership

9.1%

Poverty rate

2.1%

Unemployment

9,539

Housing units

24.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

993

Under 5

1,002

1,137

5–9

1,146

1,124

10–14

1,134

1,040

15–19

1,049

911

20–24

919

1,666

25–34

1,679

1,995

35–44

2,012

1,520

45–54

1,533

1,081

55–59

1,089

953

60–64

960

1,458

65–74

1,469

764

75–84

770

408

85+

412

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	7,764	25.7%
18 and over	22,460	74.3%
65 and over	5,281	17.5%
Median age	38.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 71.3%

Hispanic or Latino 13%

Two or more races 9.8%

Other race 4.7%

Black or African American 0.6%

Asian 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	24,745	71.3%
Hispanic or Latino	4,505	13%
Two or more races	3,415	9.8%
Other race	1,646	4.7%
Black or African American	216	0.6%
Asian	146	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	45	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.1%

$10k–$15k 4.1%

$15k–$25k 7.9%

$25k–$35k 6.8%

$35k–$50k 14.7%

$50k–$75k 18.8%

$75k–$100k 15.9%

$100k–$150k 17.1%

$150k–$200k 6.5%

$200k+ 6.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.1%
$10k–$15k	4.1%
$15k–$25k	7.9%
$25k–$35k	6.8%
$35k–$50k	14.7%
$50k–$75k	18.8%
$75k–$100k	15.9%
$100k–$150k	17.1%
$150k–$200k	6.5%
$200k+	6.1%
Median income	$67,871

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.4%

$50k–$100k 8.2%

$100k–$150k 17.6%

$150k–$200k 20.0%

$200k–$300k 25.5%

$300k–$500k 18.4%

$500k–$1M 3.0%

$1M+ 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$194,200
Median rent / month	$874
Owner occupied	72.8%
Renter occupied	27.2%
Vacant	7.5%
Single-family detached	74.9%
Large apartment buildings	5.3%
Mobile homes	6.7%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.63

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.8%
2010–2019	7.9%
2000–2009	7.4%
1990–1999	9.9%
1980–1989	12.0%
1970–1979	18.8%
1960–1969	15.0%
1950–1959	11.1%
1940–1949	5.4%
1939 or earlier	11.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	9.9%
2 bedrooms	21.8%
3 bedrooms	38.9%
4 bedrooms	17.6%
5+ bedrooms	9.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.3%
1 vehicle	25.2%
2 vehicles	41.2%
3 or more	27.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	31.3%
Electricity	64.0%
Propane / LP gas	3.1%
Fuel oil	0.2%
Wood	0.7%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,988	50.8%
Cohabiting couple	666	5.6%
Male householder, no spouse	2,194	18.6%
Female householder, no spouse	2,942	25.0%
Households with children under 18	3,659	31.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,588	30.4%
Average household size	2.53

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.9%	26.2%
Married	53.6%	50.8%
Separated	3.9%	1.1%
Widowed	3.1%	12.7%
Divorced	7.4%	9.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.9%

Some HS, no diploma 5.5%

HS graduate 29.9%

Some college, no degree 21.3%

Associate's degree 12.9%

Bachelor's degree 17.2%

Graduate / professional 7.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.6%
Bachelor's or higher	24.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	614	8.2%
Kindergarten	295	4.0%
Elementary school	3,778	50.7%
High school	1,711	23.0%
College / grad school	1,054	14.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 28.0%

Education & healthcare 17.4%

Retail trade 10.7%

Construction 8.1%

Transportation & utilities 6.2%

Other services 6.0%

Agriculture & mining 5.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.0%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Professional & management 3.9%

Public administration 2.9%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.8%
Service	13.1%
Sales & office	16.6%
Natural resources & construction	10.8%
Production & transportation	25.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.0%
Government	9.6%
Self-employed	7.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.8%
Carpool	9.2%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	3.4%
Other means	2.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	13.7

Poverty

All people 9.1%

Under 18 years 12.0%

18 and over 8.1%

Married-couple families 3.5%

Female-led households 17.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.8%
Retirement income	19.5%
Supplemental Security	4.5%
Cash public assistance	1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.3%
High cholesterol	30.7%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	8.2%
Arthritis	23.5%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.0%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.5%
No physical activity	24.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.0%
Fair or poor health	12.1%
Poor mental health	11.9%
Poor physical health	9.1%
No health insurance	16.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.5%
Visited dentist	61.8%
Cholesterol screening	87.6%
Teeth loss	11.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,242	5.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.8%
Under 18	3.8%
18–64 years	11.2%
65 and over	25.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.8%
Public insurance	32.9%
Uninsured under 19	7.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	28,229	93.4%
Spanish	2,553	9.0%
Other Indo-European	2,549	9.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	4	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	26,311	87.1%
Born in same state	25,959	85.9%
Born in different state	20,630	68.3%
Foreign born	352	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	3,913	12.9%
Not a US citizen	1,529	39.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,481	8.2%
French	1,797	5.9%
Arab	1,059	3.5%
Polish	675	2.2%
Dutch	365	1.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	329	1.1%
German	97	0.3%
Norwegian	44	0.1%
Irish	14	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.0%
Internet access	93.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Columbus, NE?

Columbus, NE has one ZIP code: 68601.

What is the main ZIP code for Columbus, NE?

The primary ZIP code for Columbus, NE is 68601. The city uses area code 402 for phone service.

What county is Columbus, NE in?

Columbus is located in Platte County, Nebraska.

How many ZIP codes are in Columbus, NE?

Columbus, NE has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Columbus and the Platte County courthouse area?

Downtown Columbus, including the historic courthouse district, is located in ZIP code 68601.

What is the ZIP code for the Columbus area near the Loup River and central Platte County?

The Columbus area near the Loup River in central Platte County uses ZIP code 68601 for all mail delivery.